TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA) -- Members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) convened for a meeting for the first quarter of the year to discuss and address pressing issues concerning peace, order, and public safety within the province.
The council is comprised of national line agencies, local chief executives, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), civil society, and non-governmental organizations, among others.
"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the esteemed members present here today. Your active participation and dedication are vital as we endeavor to safeguard the welfare of the people we serve," Governor Imelda "Angging" Quibranza Dimaporo said, who presided over the meeting.
The Philippine Army's 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade and 103rd Brigade presented security updates and shed light on the weakening of the violent extremist group Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group due to focused military operations and the surrender of their leaders. However, the group's ongoing recruitment efforts, including the recruitment of minors, have raised concerns about potential threats to public safety.
The Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office also presented updates on peace and order initiatives.
Moreover, the governor expressed concern over rising drug-related cases and urged cooperation among law enforcement agencies (PNP and PDEA), municipal mayors, and barangay chairpersons to combat drug and crime issues effectively.
The council also adopted two resolutions to be endorsed by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity. These resolutions focused on projects under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamataNAn (PAMANA) Program and an electrification project in Tagoloan, benefiting MILF communities in interior municipalities.
Dimaporo also reaffirmed Lanao del Norte's status as a Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army insurgency-free province.
"Lanao del Norte has reaffirmed its status as an insurgency-free province, free from the influence of the CP-NPA, through a resolution passed by our Sangguniang Panlalawigan. We have already conveyed this update to Secretary Galvez of OPAPRU during our recent engagement with governors from regions 10 and 13," she said.
Additionally, the Department of Local and Interior Government facilitated the ceremonial signing of the Executive Order Establishing the Local Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro Normalization Implementation Committee of Lanao del Norte. (PIO Lanao del Norte/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
